Verisign - 1792 Exchange

Rating Overview

Verisign is Lower Risk.

VeriSign is Lower Risk. The company does not yield to political activism in shaping corporate governance, preventing initiatives that potentially alienate consumers, divide employees, and harm shareholders. VeriSign elevates merit, excellence, and integrity ahead of race and identity-based policies. The company does not embrace corporate initiatives that redirect its central focus from business goals to partisan policies and divisive issues. This approach protects free exercise, free speech, and free enterprise.

Rating Criteria

Corporate Weaponization Risk Levels
Criteria	Risk Level
Cancellations	Lower Risk
Discriminatory Philanthropy	Lower Risk
Employment Protection	High Risk

Corporate Weaponization ⓘ

Corporate Governance and Public Policy Risk Levels
Criteria	Risk Level
Advocacy Bias	High Risk
Funding	Lower Risk
Political Actions	No Data

Corporate Governance and Public Policy ⓘ

Rating Criteria Detail

Criteria Risk Level Rationale

Corporate Weaponization

Criteria:

Has canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level:

Lower

Rationale:

VeriSign has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (1).

Criteria:

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level:

Lower

Rationale:

VeriSign does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs. The company’s charitable giving focus areas are “make a positive and lasting impact by working with communities where we live and work, promoting online safety for the internet community we serve, and making a difference through meaningful action that promotes positive change and strengthens society” (1).

Criteria:

Employment policies fail to protect against viewpoint or other discrimination and/or are ideological in nature.

Risk Level:

High

Rationale:

VeriSign offers DEI training to its employees (1). The company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (2). VeriSign has a history of divisive corporate policies and practices. However, in December 2024, the company removed training policies from its Annual Report. To date, the company has not publicly addressed this change, leaving shareholders without clarity regarding the company’s reasoning or future direction (3).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy

Criteria:

Uses corporate reputation to support causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level:

High

Rationale:

VeriSign supports DEI within its business practices. From its 2023 Annual Report: “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): We are a diverse organization, and we believe that drives stronger performance, better
decision making, and an inclusive culture where differences are valued. We strive to create an environment where employees
feel a sense of belonging and feel empowered to bring their diverse skills, perspectives and talents to bear” (1). The company supports ESG within its business practices. From its ESG Highlights page: “Just as we serve as stewards for critical internet infrastructure – upon which billions of internet users depend – we are also committed to being responsible stewards of our environment, investing in our communities and our people, and evolving our corporate governance practices. This commitment is reflected in our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) priorities” (2). VeriSign has a history of divisive corporate policies and practices. However, in December 2024, the company removed DEI language from its Annual Report. To date, the company has not publicly addressed this change, leaving shareholders without clarity regarding the company’s reasoning or future direction (3).

Criteria:

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level:

Lower

Rationale:

VeriSign has not used corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (1).

Criteria:

Uses corporate political actions and/or financial contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level:

N/A

Rationale:

VeriSign’s PAC has been defunct since 2013 and the company does not report on its lobbying at this time (1)(2)(3).